Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

Director:

Paul Thomas Anderson

Writer (WGA):

Paul Thomas Anderson (written by)

Release Date:

1 November 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

A beleaguered small-business owner gets a harmonium and embarks on a romantic journey with a mysterious woman.

Plot Keywords:

Harmonium | Love | Small Business | Birthday Party | Impulsiveness

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 13 wins & 15 nominations

Cast

Adam Sandler	...	Barry Egan
Jason Andrews	...	Operator Carter (voice)
Don McManus	...	Plastic (voice)
Emily Watson	...	Lena Leonard
Luis Guzmán	...	Lance
David Schrempf	...	Customer #1
Seann Conway	...	Customer #2
Rico Bueno	...	Rico
Hazel Mailloux	...	Rhonda
Karen Kilgariff	...	Anna (voice)
Julie Hermelin	...	Kathleen
Salvador Curiel	...	Sal
Jorge Barahona	...	Jorge
Ernesto Quintero	...	Ernesto
Julius Steuer	...	Mechanic

Also Known As:

Just Desserts (USA) (working title)
Punchdrunk Knuckle Love (USA) (working title)
The X-4 Project (USA) (working title)
Untitled P.T. Anderson Project (USA) (working title)
Embriagado de Amor (Brazil) (Portugal) [pt]
Armastusest joobunud (Estonia) [et]
Embriagado de amor (Argentina) [es]
Htypimenos apo erota (Greece) [el]
Ivre d'amour (Canada: French title) [fr]
Lewy sercowy (Poland) [pl]
Punch-Drunk Love (Spain) [es]
Punch-Drunk Love - Ubriaco d'amore (Italy) [it]
Punch-drunk love - Ivre d'amour (France) [fr]
Punch-drunk love - rakkauden värit (Finland) [fi]

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language including a scene of sexual dialogue.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX | SDDS | DTS-ES

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Malaysia:18SX | Brazil:14 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:12 | Italy:VM14 | Netherlands:12 | Norway:11 | Philippines:R-18 | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Zurich) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Claremont, California, USA

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

Barry's seven sisters are played by one actress - Mary Lynn Rajskub - and six non-professionals, four of whom were real-life blood relations.

Goofs:

Continuity: After the brothers smash into Barry's car and it stops spinning, blood trickles from Lena's scalp and onto her cheekbone. When Barry returns to the car after beating up the brothers, there is no blood on Lena's face.

Quotes:

Barry: I know... yes...
Lena: That's insane.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in 50 First Dates (2004)

Soundtrack:

Moana Chimes

Intellectual Optimism

Paul Thomas Anderson created a poetic masterpiece with 'Punch-Drunk Love'. This film portrays the story of a man who escapes his misery in a -newly found- self esteem and with love.

It was an absolute joy to see Adam Sander in a role of such depth and complexity. Philip Seymour Hoffman adds a little bit of his unlimited talent to the show in a role that defined the ending of the movie.

'Punch-Drunk Love' is the best movie the Coen brothers never made. It is smart and rewarding. The pleasant surprise of 2002.

10/10